Answers to Top LASIK Questions, and 10 Reasons To Trust LASIK (Updated 2024)

Many people who come to us for LASIK in Oklahoma City have thought about the procedure for a long time. They often had questions or concerns about the procedure, and wondered if they should trust their safety and their vision to LASIK. These are some of the top questions we hear about LASIK, and brief answers:

What does LASIK surgery do to you?

LASIK surgery reshapes the cornea to improve vision. Here’s what happens during the procedure: First, the eye is numbed with anesthetic drops, and a device is used to keep the eyelids open. Next, a femtosecond laser or a microkeratome creates a thin, hinged flap in the cornea. The surgeon then folds back the flap to access the underlying cornea (stroma). An excimer laser, programmed with your specific prescription, removes precise amounts of corneal tissue. This reshaping allows light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina, improving vision. After reshaping, the corneal flap is carefully placed back into its original position, where it adheres naturally without the need for stitches. The cornea begins to heal immediately. Vision often improves rapidly within the first 24 hours, though complete healing and stabilization of vision can take a few weeks to months.

Does LASIK permanently fix eyes?

LASIK can permanently correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, providing long-term improvement in vision. However, it does not prevent age-related changes in vision, such as presbyopia, which typically occurs after the age of 40. Therefore, while LASIK can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts, some individuals may still need vision correction as they age.

When is LASIK not recommended?

1. Unstable Vision: If your prescription has changed significantly in the past year, LASIK might not be suitable until your vision stabilizes.
2. Thin or Irregular Corneas: Patients with thin or irregularly shaped corneas may not be good candidates for LASIK.
3. Severe Dry Eyes: If you have chronic dry eyes, LASIK can exacerbate the condition.
4. High Refractive Errors: Extremely high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism might not be effectively treated with LASIK.
5. Pregnancy or Nursing: Hormonal changes can affect your vision, so it’s recommended to wait until after pregnancy and nursing.
6. Certain Medical Conditions: Conditions like autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), diabetes, or other health issues that affect wound healing or immune response can be contraindications.
7. Eye Conditions: Diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, keratoconus, or other corneal diseases can make LASIK unsuitable.
8. Age: LASIK is generally not recommended for individuals under 18 years old since their vision may still be changing.

Is LASIK worth the risk? 10 Reasons to choose LASIK.

To help you determine whether or not you can feel comfortable proceeding with LASIK, we’ve compiled a list of 10 reasons this popular procedure is a reliable and safe choice.

1. Extremely Safe: LASIK is safer than long-term contact lens use, where infection risks are notably high.
2. Precision Technology: The computer-guided lasers used in LASIK are incredibly precise. The femtosecond laser creates microscopic cavities within the cornea without damaging surrounding tissue, forming the flap for the procedure. The excimer laser safely reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic layers to improve focus.
3. Space Age Science: LASIK technology, such as the eye-tracking system, was originally developed for the NASA Space Shuttle’s autonomous satellite docking capabilities.
4. NASA Approved: LASIK is trusted by NASA, allowing astronaut candidates to meet the visual acuity standards required for space travel. This rigorous testing by NASA speaks volumes about LASIK’s reliability.
5. Used by Professionals: Fighter pilots, sharpshooters, professional athletes, and emergency responders often choose LASIK to meet their high demands for sharp vision without the barriers of glasses or contacts.
6. Proven History: With almost 30 years and more than 20 million procedures performed in the U.S., LASIK boasts one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any elective procedure, around 96%.
7. Extensive Research: Over 7,000 peer-reviewed clinical studies on LASIK’s performance, safety, and outcomes have been published, providing robust scientific support for its popularity.
8. Surgeons Trust It: LASIK surgeons are five times more likely to undergo the procedure themselves, highlighting its safety and effectiveness.
9. Family Recommended: More than 91% of LASIK surgeons have recommended or performed the procedure on an immediate family member, underscoring their confidence in its safety.
10. Expert Surgeons: Our highly qualified LASIK surgeons undergo extensive training, including up to five years specializing in eye anatomy, health, and treatment, in addition to four years of medical school.

In summary, LASIK is a trustworthy vision correction procedure. If you still have questions or safety concerns, schedule a FREE consultation with one of our nJoy doctors today.

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Call (405) 842-6060